Most of you do not check your kid’s blood sugar. Therefore, chances are you do not know if it’s healthy. There may be clues that your child’s levels are out high, and you may want to give your pediatrician a call.
Diabetes in Children:
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are different diseases, but, both affect the body’s use of insulin.
Type 1 diabetes in children, which is previously called juvenile diabetes, happens when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin.
Without insulin, sugar cannot travel from the blood into your cells, therefore, high blood sugar levels can result.
Treatment involves:
- Blood sugar monitoring and lifelong insulin use
- Exercise and diet management to help in keeping blood sugar levels within the target range
Type 1 diabetes often appears during adolescence or childhood, but it can start at any time.
Type 2 diabetes on the other hand, is less common in young children, but this can happen when insulin is not working properly. Without enough insulin, glucose can thereforeaccumulate in the bloodstream.
You can often manage type 2 diabetes through:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- More exercise
- Change in diet
Sometimes the person will need to take medication.
The chance of getting type 2 diabetes increases as a person get older, but children can also develop it.
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes in Children:
The symptoms and signs of type 1 diabetes in children usually develop quickly, over a period of weeks. These symptoms include:
- Blurred Vision
- Extreme Hunger
- Fruity-smelling Breath
- Fatigue
- Frequent Urination and Increased Thirst
- Weight loss
- Yeast Infection
Girls might develop a yeast infection. While, weight loss is often a common symptom before diagnosis.
Diabetes U.K. urges the people to be aware of “4 Ts” in children:
- Toilet: Infants having heavier diapers, using the bathroom frequently, or bedwetting after being dry for some time.
- Thirsty: Drinking more fluids than usual, but not being unable to quench thirst.
- Tired: Feeling more tired than usual
- Thinner:Losing weight
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes in Children:
- Blurred vision, as the eye’s lens becomes dry
- Increased thirst
- Itching around the genitals, possibly with a yeast infection
- Urinating more often, most especially at night
- Unexplained weight loss
- Slow healing of wounds or cuts
- Tiredness
Other Signs of Insulin Resistance Include:
- Dark, velvety patches of skin, known as acanthosis nigricans
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children tend to develop rapidly over a few weeks. While, type 2 diabetes symptoms develop more slowly. This may take months or years to get a diagnosis.
Parents should take their child to the doctor for consultation, if they notice any of the above symptoms.
Warning Signs:
As per a 2012 survey from Diabetes U.K., only 9% of parents were able to identify the 4 main symptoms of type 1 diabetes. By 2013, this figure had increased to at least 14%.
In some cases, some children do not receive a diagnosis until their symptoms are already severe, or fatal.
Prevention of Diabetes in Children:
Currently, it is not possible to prevent type 1 diabetes, but a child can take steps to reduce the chance of developing type 2 diabetes through:
- Limit Sugary Drinks and Food: Eating plenty of foods that are high in sugar can lead to weight gain. Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, with plenty of fiber, vitamins, and lean proteins, will lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Overweight children are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, because they are more likely to have insulin resistance.
- Stay Active: Keeping physically active helps reduce insulin resistance, while also helps in managing blood pressure.
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Sources:
Mayoclinic
MedicalNewsToday
Webmd
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